U.S. patent number 4,944,021 [Application Number 07/418,990] was granted by the patent office on 1990-07-24 for identification system employing verification of fingerprints.
This patent grant is currently assigned to NEC Corporation. Invention is credited to Ko Asai, Yukio Hoshino.
United States Patent |
4,944,021 |
Hoshino , et al. |
July 24, 1990 |
Identification system employing verification of fingerprints
Abstract
An identification system for identifying authorized personnel
compares a streaked pattern of a fingerprint of an individual with
selected fingerprint patterns stored in memory of all authorized
personnel in order to determine if the individual is included among
the authorized personnel. The streaked pattern is compared with the
fingerprint patterns stored in memory on the basis of
characteristics between a reference point of a fingerprint and its
relationship to other selected points of the fingerprint.
Inventors: |
Hoshino; Yukio (Tokyo,
JP), Asai; Ko (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
NEC Corporation (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
27524708 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/418,990 |
Filed: |
October 6, 1989 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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134554 |
Dec 16, 1987 |
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724232 |
Apr 17, 1985 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 18, 1984 [JP] |
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59-78155 |
Apr 18, 1984 [JP] |
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59-78156 |
Apr 18, 1984 [JP] |
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59-78157 |
Apr 18, 1984 [JP] |
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59-78158 |
Apr 18, 1984 [JP] |
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59-78159 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
382/125;
382/209 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K
9/00087 (20130101); H01M 4/661 (20130101); Y02E
60/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
9/00 (20060101); H01M 4/66 (20060101); G06K
009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;382/2,4,5,34,48
;340/825.3,825.33,825.34 ;356/71 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Boudreau; Leo H.
Assistant Examiner: Couso; Jose L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak &
Seas
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 134,554, filed Dec.
16, 1987, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
724,232, filed Apr. 17, 1985, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An identification system comprising:
input means for collecting a streaked pattern of a fingerprint from
a surface of a finger to store a streaked pattern image;
storing means for storing a plurality of pattern features of a
plurality of registered fingerprints, each of said pattern features
including at least information identifying within a coordinate
system the positions of first and second registered feature points
and a registered number of streaks of said registered fingerprints
existing between said first and second registered feature
points;
selecting means for selecting one of said pattern features as a
reference pattern feature from said storing means; and
identifying means for verifying correspondence between said
streaked pattern image and said reference pattern feature, said
identifying means determining at least on the basis of coordinate
values first and second objective areas in said streaked pattern
image at positions corresponding to said positions of said first
and second registered feature points of said reference pattern
feature, respectively, scanning said first and second objective
areas in order to detect first and second candidate feature points,
respectively, counting a number of streaks of said streaked pattern
image existing between said first and second candidate feature
points to generate a count value, and comparing said count value
with said registered number.
2. The identification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
storing means includes a file means for collectively storing a
plurality of pattern features of said registered fingerprints, and
said selecting means includes means for inputting an ID code
allotted to a fingerprint registrant, said reference pattern
feature being selected in said file means in accordance with said
ID code.
3. The identification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
input means, said storing means, said selecting means and said
identifying means constitute one terminal unit.
4. The identification system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising:
a plurality of terminal units each having said input means, and
said selecting means;
a central unit having said storing means and said identifying
means; and
a transmission line for connecting said plurality of terminal units
and said central unit.
5. The identification system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising:
a plurality of terminal units each having said input means, said
selecting means and said identifying means;
a central unit having said storing means; and
transmission lines for connecting said plurality of terminal units
and said central unit.
6. The identification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
storing means includes memory cards one each respectively held by a
plurality of fingerprint registrants for respectively recording
said pattern feature corresponding to each said fingerprint
registrant, and said selecting means includes card reader means for
reading said memory card, said one of said pattern features being
read from said recording card by said card reader means and
provided to said identifying means.
7. The identification system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said
input means, said card reader means and said identifying means
constitute one terminal unit.
8. The identification system as claimed in claim 6, further
comprising:
a plurality of terminal units each having said fingerprint input
means and said card reader means;
a central unit having said identifying means; and
transmission lines for connecting said plurality of terminal units
and said central unit.
9. The identification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
storing means comprises a file memory.
10. The identification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
storing means comprises a plurality of data bearing cards one of
which is retained by each respective fingerprint registrant and
means for reading said cards.
11. The identification system as claimed in claim 10, further
comprising:
a work memory for storing the data of a card read by said means for
reading.
12. A method for determining whether an individual is included
among a plurality of fingerprint registrants, comprising the steps
of:
preparing a plurality of pattern features of fingerprints of said
fingerprint registrants, each of said pattern features including at
least information identifying within a coordinate system the
positions of first and second registered feature points and a
registered number of streaks of said fingerprint existing between
said first and second registered feature points;
inputting a streaked pattern of a fingerprint from a surface of a
finger of an individual;
selecting one of said pattern features as a reference pattern
feature;
determining at least on the basis of coordinate values first and
second objective areas in said streaked pattern at positions
corresponding to said positions of said first and second registered
feature points of said reference pattern features;
scanning in said first and second objective areas to extract first
and second candidate feature points, respectively;
detecting a number of streaks of said streaked pattern existing
between said first and second candidate feature points to produce a
count value;
comparing said registered number with said count value to produce a
comparing result; and
determining if there is correspondence between said streaked
pattern and said reference feature in response to said comparing
result.
13. A method for determining whether an individual is included
among a plurality of fingerprint registrants, comprising the steps
of:
storing a plurality of pattern features each extracted from a first
streaked pattern of a respective registered fingerprint and each
including information identifying within a coordinate system first
and second positions of first and second registered feature point
of said first streaked pattern and a registered number of streaks
of said first streaked pattern existing between said first and
second feature points;
collecting a second streaked pattern of a fingerprint from a
surface of a finger;
selecting one of said pattern features as a reference pattern
feature from said storing means;
setting at least on the basis of coordinate values a first
objective area in said second streaked pattern at a position
corresponding to said first position of said first registered
feature point of said reference feature pattern;
detecting a first candidate feature point of said second streaked
pattern in said first objective area;
collecting a positional displacement between said first position of
said first registered feature point and a position of said first
candidate feature point;
setting at least on the basis of coordinate values a second
objective area in said second streaked pattern at a position
corresponding to said second position of said second registered
feature point of said reference pattern feature;
detecting a second candidate feature point of said second streaked
pattern in said second objective area;
counting a number of streaks of said second streaked pattern
existing between said first and second candidate feature points to
output of count value; and
identifying correspondence between said first and second streaked
pattern by comparing said count value with said registered number.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an identification system for
identifying authorized personnel by verifying features of his
fingerprint.
A system for the identification of personnel is utilized for two
kinds of control: i.e. (1) control of entry to and exit from
security areas, and (2) control of commercial transactions. In the
identification system for the former control, an ID number is given
to a particular person instead of a mechanical key. When that
person wishes to enter the security area, he inputs his ID number
to the system by means of a keyboard or ID card. The system
compares the ID number with the registered number to verify the
identity of that person. The system permits that person to enter
the security area if the predetermined correspondence exists
between the ID number and the registered number. Such a system is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,221,304. The identification system for
the latter control is employed in commercial transactions through
banks or the like by means of credit cards. The personal identity
is confirmed in the same manner as in the former control, and then,
the system permits the transaction. Such a system is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,076.
However, because the ID number is used to identify a person, these
systems often permits improper users to entry to and exist from the
security area or the commercial transactions. Particularly in these
days, trouble caused by the unlawful use of credit cards has
increased with the increase in the number of credit transactions.
Therefore, a reliable inexpensive identification system is
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an
accurate, highly reliable and inexpensive identification system
suitable for controlling entry to and exit from security areas and
commercial transactions.
The identification system according to the present invention
comprises input means for collecting a fingerprint from the front
end of a finger and converting the fingerprint to image data; an
image memory for storing the image data; means for storing the
features of a plurality of fingerprints, the feature including a
plurality of feature points and the relationship between one of the
feature points and the adjacent feature points; selecting means for
selecting one of the features of the plurality of fingerprints; and
identifying means for verifying the features of the image data
obtained by the input means according to the feature of the
fingerprint selected by the selecting means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The above-mentioned and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will be better understood from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an identification system according to
a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2(a) illustrates pattern features extracted from a fingerprint
employed in the identification system shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2(b) illustrates a registered recording form of the features
of a fingerprint stored in a storing means shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows an image data of a fingerprint stored in an image
memory shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4(a) shows the manipulation for identifying an image data of a
fingerprint according to the present invention.
FIG. 4(b) illustrates the scanned data obtained through the
manipulation shown in FIG. 4(a).
FIG. 5(a) shows the manipulation for detecting a related feature
point according to the present invention.
FIG. 5(b) illustrated the scanned data obtained through the
manipulation shown in FIG. 5(a).
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an identification system according to
a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an identification system according to
a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an identifying system according to a
fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an identifying system according to a
fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, an identification system according to a first
embodiment of the present invention comprises a keyboard 15, a
fingerprint input device 11, an A/D (Analog to Digital) converter
12, an image memory 13, identifying processor 10 and a file such as
a magnetic disk drive 14. Each of them is connected to each other
by signal lines for transmitting and receiving various data as
shown in the drawing.
The fingerprint input device 11 produces a two-dimensional
photoelectrically converted image of a fingerprint pattern from the
front end of a finger. The input device 11 includes photographing
means and an illuminator for collecting the fingerprint pattern by
scanning the rear surface of a glass plate where a finger is
impressed on the front surface, and utilizing the optical boundary
conditions of the glass plate. Such a fingerprint input device 11
is disclosed in Japanese Patent Disclosure Nos. 69300/1979 and
85600/1979.
The photoelectrically converted image from the fingerprint input
device 11 is quantified into binary picture element signals by the
A/D converter 12 and stored in the image memory 13. Since the A/D
converter 12 and the image memory 13, known in the art, are usable
for this system, more detailed description thereof is omitted.
An ID code is allocated to each of the registered persons and is
entered by means of the keyboard 15. The file 14 stores features of
a registered fingerprint corresponding to the ID code, i.e., the
positions of feature points (ending and bifurcation points, etc.)
of the fingerprint pattern and the relationship between one of the
feature points and the adjacent feature points. The ID code from
the keyboard 15 is converted to an address indicating the storing
position of the file 14 by an input/output interface 104. The data
read out from the file 14 is loaded into the work memory 103 of the
identifying processor 10 through the input/output interface 104. A
control unit 101 checks the corresponding relationship between the
two-dimensionally quantified image data stored in the image memory
13 and the features of the fingerprint stored in the work memory
103 according to a program stored in a program memory 102.
Referring to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the pattern features of the
registered fingerprint stored in the file 14 will be described.
A streaked pattern is extracted from a registered fingerprint
image. The streaks correspond to ridges of the fingerprint. The
streaked pattern is thinned by a thinning unit so as to convert it
to a skelton pattern as shown in FIG. 2(a). The skelton pattern
should have several feature points M.sub.i of at least one type,
such as an abrupt ending of a skelton, a bifurcation of a skelton
and/or a crosspoint of two or more skeltons. These feature points
M.sub.i are usually called minutiaes. Each of the feature points
M.sub.i is provided serial number m.sub.i.
Positions (X.sub.i, Y.sub.i) and directions D.sub.i of respective
feature points M.sub.i are detected from the skelton pattern.
Further, the relationships R.sub.j between a reference feature
point M.sub.i and adjacent (related) feature points M.sub.j are
defined for each of the feature points M.sub.i. Each of the
relationships R.sub.j comprises the serial number m.sub.j of the
related feature point M.sub.j and the number of intersection points
r.sub.j of the transverse vector V.sub.j, which is drawn from the
reference feature point M.sub.i to the related feature point
M.sub.j, with the inverting skeltons.
That is, with respect to a feature point M.sub.o, a position
(X.sub.o, Y.sub.o), a direction D.sub.o of the feature point
M.sub.o and relationships R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 to
related feature points M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 and M.sub.4 are
defined. The relationships R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4
includes the number of intersection points r.sub.1, r.sub.2,
r.sub.3 and r.sub.4 of transverse vectors V.sub.1, V.sub.2, V.sub.3
and V.sub.4 with inverting skeltons connecting the serial numbers
m.sub.1, m.sub.2, m.sub.3 and m.sub.4 of the feature points
M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, and M.sub.4. The transverse vectors
V.sub.1, V.sub.2, V.sub.3 and V.sub.4 are drawn from the reference
feature point M.sub.o to the related feature points M.sub.1,
M.sub.2, M.sub.3 and M.sub.4
The feature points M.sub.i and the position (X.sub.i, Y.sub.i), the
direction D.sub.i and the relationships R.sub.j to the related
feature points M.sub.j of each of the feature points M.sub.i are
extracted from the skelton pattern shown in FIG. 2(a) at the time
of the registration of a fingerprint.
The file 14 stores the data in the form of a list based on each of
the feature points M.sub.i as shown in FIG. 2(b). The detailed
definition and the extracting method about the features of the
fingerprint is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,827.
FIG. 3 shows image data 30 stored in the image memory 13. The
identifying processor 10 verifies the image data 30 in accordance
with the features of the registered fingerprint loaded in the work
memory 103, that is, the processor 10 checks whether the streaked
pattern of the image data 30 has the registered feature point
M.sub.i and the relations R.sub.j for some or every feature
points.
Referring to FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) the identifying
process is carried out by the identifying processor 10 in the
following manner.
The control unit 101 sets up an objective area 41 on the image data
30 corresponding to a feature point M.sub.i read out from the work
memory 103. Subsequently, with the position (X.sub.i, Y.sub.i) of
the feature point M.sub.i as an original point, the control unit
101 sets up a plurality of scanning lines 411, . . . 412, 413, 414,
415, 416, . . . and 417 intersecting the direction D.sub.i of the
feature point M.sub.i at a right angle. By scanning the objective
area 41 through the scanning lines 412, 413, and 416, scanned data
422, 423, .... and 426 will be obtained as shown in FIG. 4(b).
A feature point (abrupt ending point) M.sub.n of the streaked
pattern is detected within the local area 41 by determining the
correspondences between pattern edges of the scanned data as shown
by dotted lines in FIG. 4(b). The direction D.sub.n of the feature
point M.sub.n is determined by averaging the angles of the dotted
lines connecting pattern edges of the feature point M.sub.n with
respect to the scanning lines 422 to 426 and/or the angles of the
dotted lines close to the feature point M.sub.n.
The feature point M.sub.n in the objective area 41 is regarded as a
candidate corresponding to the registered feature point M.sub.i.
Then, the differences in the positional displacement and the
direction are corrected between the detected feature point M.sub.n
and the registered feature point M.sub.i.
Subsequently, one of the plurality of relationships R.sub.j
concerned with the feature point M.sub.i is read out to set up the
next objective area with the position (X.sub.j, Y.sub.j) of the
related feature point M.sub.j as an original point on the image
data 30. As shown in FIG. 5(a), a feature point M.sub.n ' of the
streaked pattern is detected in the next objective area in the same
manner.
The feature point M.sub.n ' is considered as a candidate
corresponding to the registered related feature point M.sub.j. A
transverse vector 53 is drawn from the feature points M.sub.n to
M.sub.n '. Then, the number of points of intersection of the
transverse vector 53 with the inverting streaks is counted by means
of the scanned data 54 shown in FIG. 5(b). That number "3" is
compared with the registered number of intersection points r.sub.j
in the relation R.sub.j for checking whether the candidate feature
points M.sub.n and M.sub.n ' correspond to the registered feature
points M.sub.i and M.sub.j.
The control unit 101 effects the above-described process for all
related feature points M.sub.j of the plurality of relationships
R.sub.j with the feature point M.sub.n (=M.sub.i) as a reference
point. Furthermore, the control unit 101 performs the similar
verifying process with the related feature points M.sub.j as a
reference point. In this way, the control unit 101 checks whether
the image data 30 includes a plurality of registered feature points
M.sub.i and judges correspondence between the streaked pattern of
the image data 30 and the registered fingerprint.
A specialized processor may be used for the identifying processor
10 for the above-described processing purposes, however a general
purpose processor may also be used because the identifying process
is realized only by linear scanning of the objective area in the
image memory 13, and comparing the streaked pattern with the
registered feature point.
Thus, the identifying processor 10 verifies linearly scanned image
data of the fingerprint from the input means through a simple
process by using the pattern features of one of the registered
fingerprints selected by the ID code. Therefore, the identity of a
person can be confirmed with high accuracy.
Next the system configuration will be described. In the first
embodiment, the fingerprint input device 11, the A/D converter 12,
the image memory 13, the keyboard 15, the identifying processor 10
and the file 14 are incorporated in one terminal unit to form an
identification system. Accordingly, the identification of a person
is effected by one stand-alone terminal unit.
A second embodiment of the identification system shown in FIG. 6
comprises an identifying processor 10' provided on the center side
and a plurality of terminal units 20-1 to 20-n each connected to
the central processor 10' through a transmission line 16. The file
14 is provided on the central processor 10'.
Each of the terminal units 20-1 to 20-n comprises a keyboard 15, a
fingerprint input device 11, an A/D converter 12 and an image
memory 13. The central processor 10' comprises an input/output
interface 104, a control unit 101, a program memory 102, a work
memory 103 and an image memory 105, each components being coupled
to each other by signal lines for transmitting and receiving
various data.
The function of each of these components is the same as
like-numbered components of the first embodiment. Each of the
terminal units 20-1 to 20-n, for instance, 20-1 is used to convert
the image data stored in the image memory 13 and the ID code
obtained from the keyboard 15 to transmission data according to
established protocol and transmit the data to the identifying
processor 10' through the transmission line 16. The image data is
stored in the image memory 105 of the central processor 10',
whereas the ID code is converted to an address to access the file
14. The pattern features read out from the file 14 is held in the
work memory 103. The process thereafter is the same as the first
embodiment except for the image memory 105 instead of the image
memory 13. An identification result is reported to the terminal
unit 20-1.
In this embodiment of the system, one identifying processor and the
file 14 are capable of controlling the plurality of terminal units
20-1 to 20-n.
An third embodiment of the identification system shown in FIG. 7
comprises a central unit 17 having a file 14 and a plurality of
terminal units 21-1 to 21-n connected to the central unit 17
through the transmission line 16.
Each of the terminal units 21-1 to 21-n comprises a keyboard 15, a
fingerprint input device 11, an A/D converter 12, an image memory
13, an input/output interface 104 and an identifying processor 10.
The identifying processor 10 comprises a control unit 101, a
program memory 102 and a work memory 103, these components being
connected to each other by the signal line for transmitting and
receiving various data. The functions of these components are the
same as those of the like-numbered components of the first
embodiment except that the central unit 17 has an input/output
interface 171 having functions of address conversion in accordance
with the ID code.
Each of the terminal units 21-1 to 21-n, for instance. 21-1 is used
to store the image data entered from the fingerprint input device
11 in the image memory 13 and transmit an ID code entered from the
keyboard 15 to the central unit 17 through the transmission line
16. The I/O interface 171 of the central unit 17 converts the ID
code to an address for accessing the file 14. The pattern features
of the registered fingerprint is read out from the file 14, and
then, transmitted to the terminal unit 21-1.
The terminal unit 21-1 stores the pattern features of the
registered fingerprint in the work memory 103 to compare the
pattern features with the image data of the image memory 13. The
process for identification is the same as the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, a plurality of the pattern features of
registered fingerprints can be stored in the central file 14
commonly to the plurality of terminal units 21-1 to 21-n.
Referring to FIG. 8, an identification system according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention necessitates no ID code input
device such as a keyboard nor file for storing the pattern features
of registered fingerprints such as a disk drive.
The identification system comprises a card reader 18 for reading
data from a memory card 19, the fingerprint input device 11 for
collecting a photoelectrical image of a fingerprint from the front
end of the finger, an A/D converter 12, an image memory 13 and an
identification processor 10. The identifying processor 10 includes
a control unit 101, a program memory 102, a work memory 103 and an
input/output interface 104.
A fingerprint registrant holds the memory card 19 wherein the
pattern features of his fingerprint, that is, the feature points
and the relationships of the feature points of the streak pattern
of his fingerprint, are recorded in the same form shown in FIG.
2(b). The fingerprint registrant inserts the memory card 19 to the
card reader 18 and inputs his fingerprint image by means of the
fingerprint input device 11. The fingerprint image is stored to the
image memory 13 in a binary form. The card reader 18 reads the
pattern features of his fingerprint from the memory card 19 and
stores the pattern features to the work memory 103. The control
unit 101 verifies the fingerprint image stored in the image memory
13 according to the pattern features of the work memory 103 in the
same manner as the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, the fingerprint input device 11, the A/D
converter 12, the image memory 13, the card reader 18 and the
identifying unit 10 are incorporated in a stand-alone terminal
unit.
A fifth embodiment of the identification system shown in FIG. 9
comprises an identifying processor 10' on the center side and a
plurality of terminal units 22-1 to 22-n connected to the
identifying processor 10' through the transmission line 16.
Each of the terminal units 22-1 to 22-n comprises the card reader
18 for reading the data stored in the memory card 19, the
fingerprint input device 11 for collecting a fingerprint image from
the front end of the finger, an A/D converter 12 and an image
memory 13. The central identifying processor 10' comprises a
control unit 101, a program memory 102, a work memory 103, an
input/output interface 104 and an image memory 105. The image
memory 105 holds the image data sent through the transmission line
16. The functions of the other components are the same as the
fourth embodiment of the invention.
Each of the terminal units 22-1 to 22-n, for instance, 22-1
converts the image data stored in the image memory 13 and the
pattern features of the registered fingerprint obtained from the
card reader 18 to transmission data and send the data to the
central processor 10' through the transmission line 16. The image
data is stored to the image memory 105 and the pattern features of
the registered fingerprint is stored to the work memory 105. The
control unit 101 identifies the image data in the image memory 105
referring to the pattern features of the registered fingerprint in
the work memory 103 in the same manner to the first embodiment. An
identification results is sent back to the terminal unit 22-1.
In this embodiment, the identification of the plurality of image
data from the plurality of terminal units 22-1 to 22-n can be
completed by one common central processor 10'.
As described above, according to the present invention, the
identification of proper personnel can be realized with high
reliability since the system identifies personnel by verifying the
streaked pattern of his fingerprint. The system can be installed
inexpensively and compactly because the processor verifies the
fingerprint image referring to only one registered pattern
features. The identification system, for instance, can be applied
to a cash card system for transactions relating to deposits and
savings.
* * * * *